Big trees made easy!

[Evilcartoonist]

Well- just a tad time-consuming, but still easy. Just twist some floral wire together to form the trunk and branch out a few wires at a time as you reach the top. Branch out some of the branches until they all end up as one-wire branches.
Start at the bottom and wrap the wire frame with floral tape. You'll need to wrap each branch separately (this is the time-consuming bit.) As you near the ends of the branches with the tape, splice in cuts from the plastic floral stem of your choice (from Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Ben Franklin etc.).
Paint if you want, glue to a stable base and Bob's your uncle!

$10 to make three trees about this size (see link) (28mm Copplestone Caveman shown for size comparison- notice my Scenic trees in the background.) I still have scraps enough for a couple smaller trees. One floral stem will give you one thick full tree or a couple pretty good trees. I used two stems for three trees.

Here is my first try- no foolin'!

http://bp3.blogger.com/_OegChr5Zg_s/Rjuv-U8JNfI/AAAAAAAAAHY/91I9TA80tgs/s1600-h/birch+trees+and+caveman.jpg

[Bravo Six]

Nice work! They look fabulous. What are they flocked with?

-Todd

[Evilcartoonist]

No flocking- that's one of the great things about it.  The "leaves" come pre-glued on the floral "stems" (NOT the wires.) There are many different varieties and colors to choose from. The "leaves" will shed a little, but not nearly as much as a flocked tree.
Hope that helps ya!

[matakishi]

Did you write the TUSK review on Boardgamegeek?

[Bravo Six]

Oh yeah! Now that makes sense. Good idea for sure!

-Todd

[Prof.Witchheimer]

this tree looks really excellent!

[Evilcartoonist]

Matakishi, Yes, I wrote the Tusk review. I like your website, by the way- and it's nice to see someone else plays Pig Tickler

[WitchfinderGeneral]

I think this way of making trees was already featured in an White Dwarf article ages ago. Not exactly a brand new idea. Though I have no clue what a "floral stem" is. But I'll find it out.

Really nice: Caveman in birch camouflage!

[Evilcartoonist]

OK- here's a link to my painting/terrain blog showing how to make big trees using basic materials. They won't end up like the birches pictured in this discussion, but I still think they look nice on the field.

http://carmensminiaturepainting.blogspot.com/

A finished tree using the method discussed in the blog:

http://bp1.blogger.com/_OegChr5Zg_s/Rj_BO08JNoI/AAAAAAAAAIg/kvXmYhH_aYc/s1600-h/oak+tree+and+caveman.jpg

[Bravo Six]

Great tutorial. I'm gonna have to give this a try myself.

-Todd